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The Perthshire Advertiser has teamed up with Live Active to exclusively reveal the Perth and Kinross Sports Personality of the Year.

And the winner is ski sensation Charlie Guest.

The 26-year-old Olympian went from strength to strength across 2019, proudly representing the region on the European and world stage.

She glided down the slopes in Italy to become the first British woman to secure a memorable Europa Cup Alpine victory, an achievement the former Strathallan student will always remember.

And also included in a year littered with success was a fine World Championships display and a title-winning performance at the Slovakian National Championships.

Guest, who praised fellow nominees triathlete Robert Harrison and beach volleyball player Seain Cook, was truly honoured to take the top crown in Perth and Kinross.

She was unable to pick up her trophy at the planned awards evening tonight, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

But speaking to the PA after being informed, she said: “It was a massive surprise. I know there is such a great standard of athlete in and around Perth.

“The award is massive because it shows you are being recognised for what you do.

“To be recognised is insane. There have been so many big names on the trophy in the past, so it is a really cool thing to be presented with.

“It was a great year for me and the first win was probably the most special because it came off the back of such a horrible period in my career.

“To come out and win a Europa Cup event – to be the first British woman to do that – was huge for me. It is a moment that will always stick with me.”

Guest hopes her award win can help raise the profile of skiing and that more kids will be inspired to take up the sport.

“Deep down, every time I had the low moments, I kept pushing and got there in the end,” said Guest, who has battled back from numerous injury setbacks.

“It’s a sport that doesn’t get as much recognition UK-wise. The work everyone does around the community is massive for me.

“If I can inspire some kids from the Perth area to head up to Glenshee to try skiing, that is what I want to be doing.”

Phil Coleman, Live Active’s community sport and partnership manager, said: “We were disappointed not to host the awards as planned but, given the current situation, there wasn’t really an alternative.

“It’s always such a great event celebrating the amazing achievements and commitment from our local athletes, coaches, volunteers and officials.

“Once again we received a record number of nominations which is testament to the great work going on within our communities.

“The panel decision to award Charlie the Perth and Kinross Sports Personality of the Year for 2019 was a difficult one due to the calibre of the other nominees.

“Fighting back to health after breaking her back a few years ago to compete at the Olympics and then following it up with an outstanding 2019 – Charlie just pipped our other exceptional finalists.”

Thorntons sponsored the award and partner Bruce Renfrew said: “Encouraging sport and regular physical activity is a great way to help our communities thrive and it’s a privilege to help shine a light on outstanding achievements.

“Huge congratulations to the 2019 winner Charlie Guest, a very well deserved title.”

Keep an eye on Live Active Sport’s Facebook page, where winners of the 10 remaining categories will be announced from 7pm on Monday.